MINNEAPOLIS — Tuesday, June 2
- Minnesota Department of Human Rights files charges against the Minneapolis Police Department in connection with the death of George Floyd.
- 66 arrests were made in Hennepin County and 67 in Ramsey County, and DPS says they were mostly related to curfew violations.
- Curfew set to continue Tuesday night from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
- The mother of George Floyd's 6-year-old daughter, Roxie Washington, their attorneys and Stephen Jackson spoke in a news conference Tuesday.
- Demonstrators brace for potential severe weather
- MPS votes to terminate contract with MPD
- DOC Commissioner Paul Schnell said "stabilization" is top priority
10 p.m.
A fifth night of curfew orders took effect in Minneapolis and St. Paul on Tuesday night, following a day of peaceful demonstrations at the state capitol and the scene of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis.
The Tuesday curfew began at 10 p.m. and continues until 4 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
"Residents (are) urged to voluntarily comply. The best way to stay out of harm's way is to stay home. Thank you to those Minnesotans that are helping keep their communities safe," the Minnesota Department of Public Safety said in a tweet. "Several gatherings were temporarily interrupted by Tuesday's stormy weather, but crowds returned to the 38th and Chicago scene later in the evening.
6:30 p.m.
Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell provided an update on the state's response to the recent unrest throughout the Twin Cities, saying "stabilization" is their top priority, but they will retain a high level of vigilance should anything occur.
Schnell told reporters that former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin, who was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, is currently in "Administrative Segregation." Schnell said it's standard procedure to place someone in "Administrative Segregation" anytime they're dealing with law enforcement or high-level officials for safety reasons.
6 p.m.
The Minneapolis Public Schools board has voted unanimously to terminate their contract with the Minneapolis Police Department, which provides school resource officers to the schools.
"We must take all actions within our power to stop systems of oppression. For the MPS School Board, that means discontinuing our contractual relationship with the Minneapolis Police Department," Board Chair Kim Ellison said in a statement.
"My leadership team and I are committed to preparing a plan that will support the safety of MPS students and staff in the coming school year by the Board resolution’s August 18, 2020, deadline," superintendent Ed Graff said in a statement. "We look forward to engaging students, staff and families in this process over the summer."
4:41 p.m.
The mother of George Floyd's 6-year-old daughter, Roxie Washington, their attorneys and Stephen Jackson spoke in a news conference Tuesday.
Washington said through tears that she wants justice for Floyd "no matter what anybody says because he was a good man."
"He will never see her grow up, graduate, he will never walk her down the aisle." Washington said. "If there's a problem, she's having and she needs her dad, she does not have that anymore."
Stephen Jackson, who was Floyd's childhood friend, also spoke and said he is demanding justice. Jackson said that George Floyd is not just a name to yell out but a man who had a life and a family he left behind.
4:30 p.m.
Demonstrators in South Minneapolis used tarps to protect George Floyd's memorial on 38th Street and Chicago Avenue as potential severe weather approaches.
4:15 p.m
Two individuals have been charged Tuesday with throwing molotov cocktails into a Dakota County government building in the early hours of May 29.
Garrett Ziegler, 24, and Fornandous Henderson, 32, are being charged with arson and possession of molotov cocktails.
They made their initial court appearance Tuesday and have been ordered to remain in custody until June 4 pending a formal hearing.
According to the criminal complaint, the Apple Valley Police Department was dispatched to a fire alarm at the Dakota County Western Service Center.
Upon arrival, officers observed broken windows, smoke, and flames coming from the west side of the building.
Officers then found a set of keys for a Ford Fiesta parked in a neighboring business’ parking lot, the complaint reads.
Officers executed a search warrant on the vehicle, which was registered to Ziegler, and found several items, including liquor bottles, a store receipt dated May 28, 2020 for three bandanas, partially full and empty boxes of push pins, an empty cardboard box for twelve Ball brand mason jars, an empty Kingsford brand lighter fluid bottle, isopropyl alcohol bottles, a plastic jar containing a clear unidentified liquid and T-pins, and a store receipt dated May 27, 2020 for nail polish remover, prosecutors said.
Officers located Ziegler and Henderson nearby and took them into custody.
2 p.m.
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights filed civil rights charges Tuesday against the Minneapolis Police Department in connection with the death of George Floyd.
The investigation will look into policies, procedures, and practices over the past 10 years to determine if the MPD has engaged in systemic discriminatory practices towards people of color.
Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero will lead the investigation.
“Minnesotans can expect our administration to use every tool at our disposal to deconstruct generations of systemic racism in our state,” said Governor Tim Walz. “As we move forward, we ask the community to watch what we do, not what we say. It is going to take action at all levels from the neighborhood on up, to get the change we need to see. This effort is only one of many steps to come in our effort to restore trust with those in the community who have been unseen and unheard for far too long.”
“All of us agree that hate and discrimination should not be part of the fabric of this great state,” said Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. “But the grief and anger of this past week did not emerge from a vacuum. This is about a culture that continues to go unchecked. We can and must choose to do better. George Floyd, and the state as a whole, deserves this of us.”
Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said seeing officers take a knee along with protestors in front of the Governor's home on Monday warmed his heart. Harrington said that as demonstrations went on, there were arrests due to the curfew that was imposed. There were 66 arrests in Hennepin County and 67 in Ramsey County on Monday. Harrington said most arrests were for curfew violations but law enforcement also collected 13 weapons.
Harrington said he does not see the state as being culpable when it comes to the semi truck driver driving towards protestors while major roads were supposed to be closed. Harrington said he would have preferred the roads to have been closed sooner.
The curfew will continue Tuesday night from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
